Key Points:
- Google Search no longer displays the number of results by default, making it harder for users to quickly assess search volume.
- The results count has been moved under the “tools” menu, complicating the process of accessing this information.
- While Google claims this change doesn’t affect search functionality, users relied on the results count for various purposes, from assessing website indexing to gauging topic importance and competitiveness.
In a subtle but significant shift, Google Search has quietly done away with a long-standing feature: displaying the number of search results. This alteration, initially tested in 2016 and resurfacing in the Google Search Generative Experience last June, is now fully implemented, leaving users in the dark about the sheer volume of results yielded by their queries.
Search Engine Roundtable recently flagged this change, noting that the results count has vanished not only for general searches but also for site-specific inquiries. Previously nestled between search filters and results, this numeric indicator has seemingly evaporated, leaving users scrambling for a familiar metric.
However, all is not lost. Keen-eyed observers, like @si1very on X (formerly Twitter), have discerned that the results count has merely been relocated. It now lurks under the “tools” menu, nestled alongside options like Advanced Search and other filters. While still accessible, this maneuver renders the process less intuitive, complicating the task of swiftly assessing search volumes.
While Google asserts that this modification doesn’t impede the core functionality of Search, it undeniably disrupts a longstanding user experience. For many, the results count was more than a mere statistic; it served as a vital tool for various purposes. Some relied on it to monitor the indexing progress of their websites, while others utilized it to gauge the significance and competitiveness of particular topics. Additionally, it aided in crafting attention-grabbing titles and offered insight into Google’s capacity to deliver results for specific queries.
The rationale behind concealing the results count remains shrouded in mystery. Google previously contended that the results count, particularly when paired with a site command, could be misleading, as it doesn’t reliably reflect the number of pages indexed from a site. Hence, rather than perpetuating potential misinformation, Google has opted to veil this metric.
In essence, while Google’s search functionality remains unscathed, the removal of the results count marks a departure from convention, altering the landscape for users accustomed to this familiar benchmark. As the digital ecosystem evolves, such changes underscore the dynamic nature of online platforms, necessitating users to adapt to evolving paradigms.
The results count is no longer overtly present – but it appears to be accessible if you click for the search Tools. 🔧 https://t.co/R8WsXJIAxa
— Chris Silver Smith (@si1very) May 7, 2024
